Polishing your SAK's how do you do your's?

[John]

This thread is meant to share tips on the best way to get that show room Finish and what I found the best thing for the job 

First I use fine grit to get rid of the small scratches,

Then my fav find this used with a buffing wheel and a dremel BTW I use a low speed when applying endless green 



here's a swiss card blade that was dull,but! now 



I think it's almost mirror like now,



Just the tip on this well used kitchen knife got the treatment,



And this I saved till last as it's a before treatment picture,I will post the results later call it a work in progress 






Mods I wasn't sure where to post this thread,so move it if it's in the wrong place and I ask forgiveness 

[John]

Ok now that the deep scratches are removed using Med grit, I now go to fine grit note how dull it looks after the Med grit work.



now we can see some shine just using fine 600 grit,next stage I'm aiming for mirror finish 

[Mr. Whippy]

I'm following this thread.  Very interesting!

[John]

I'm following this thread.  Very interesting!

Thanks,
 understand I take more time with my Sak's,the kitchen knife is just to show what good results you can get  

[John]

updated my second post 

[MultiMat]

Bring it on M man , I have a couple of blades in need of some TLC 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Interesting stuff mate

[John]

Ok guys mission accomplished,I think!




Now for fine scratches you would only need fine grit and extra fine and finish off with the green, I found the med can go to deep in that instance.

[MultiMat]

More details M Man. What grit did you start with & what grit did you finish with prior too polishing if you please 

[John]

More details M Man. What grit did you start with & what grit did you finish with prior too polishing if you please  

On the very scratched kitchen knife I used Medium,fine then extra fine then the green polishing compound,leave out the medium if there are only fine scratches    Oh and only sand and polish in the same direction for best results  


[edit] I find with what I call very fine scratches the green compound can often suffice,it's great stuff jewellers use it to get that new look to seconhand rings and things.   

[MultiMat]

The finest grit is that higher than 1000 grit ? 

[John]

The finest grit is that higher than 1000 grit ? 

Extra fine I use is wet and dry extra fine 600.

[John]

The finest grit is that higher than 1000 grit ? 

you can find the grit size table here  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandpaper

[MultiMat]

Thanks mate. Looks like Sanjay Green is a UK only product(checked Ebay Uk, US & OZ)
I have a couple of SAK's & MT's in need of a bit of spit & polish.

[John]

Thanks mate. Looks like Sanjay Green is a UK only product(checked Ebay Uk, US & OZ)
I have a couple of SAK's & MT's in need of a bit of spit & polish.

I could get you some and ship to Australia at cost and postage if you really wanted some 

[MultiMat]

Thanks mate. Looks like Sanjay Green is a UK only product(checked Ebay Uk, US & OZ)
I have a couple of SAK's & MT's in need of a bit of spit & polish.

I could get you some and ship to Australia at cost and postage if you really wanted some 

That would be well good mate.
PM in coming

[Benner]

Very impressive. 

May give that a go myself.

[John]

Very impressive. 

May give that a go myself.

Thanks,I always advise people to practice on some SS object i.e a blade like an old kitchen knife  this way you learn what works best and you don't ruin that beloved SAK.

[nuphoria]

Do you know how you regular jewellers rouge compares to the Sanjay green?

[Bill.H]

The finest grit is that higher than 1000 grit ? 

1000 is pretty coarse compared to stropping/polishing pastes. The particle size on that is about 10 microns, but CrO2 stropping paste has particles about .5 micron and diamond paste goes down to about .25 micron. There are waterstones that go to 30,000 grit.

For scales, the 1000 should fine enough. Leave the rest for polishing the edge on your scalpel.

[edap617]

Thanks the blade polishing tips.

How about tips on polishing the plastic scales of SAK?

[John]

Thanks the blade polishing tips.

How about tips on polishing the plastic scales of SAK?

Ah I've done jobs in metal finishing in my work life, PLASTIC!  now that's a different beast,my guess though if it's hard plastics then you could treat similar to metal 

[John]

Do you know how you regular jewellers rouge compares to the Sanjay green?

Well it is basically jewellers rouge,there are these different grades and possible uses,

Blue        Versatile compound for final polishing of plastics, copper, steel and most metals. Recommended for use with loose leaf and felt buffing wheels.


Brown     Suitable for first stage polishing of copper, aluminium, brass and soft metals. Recommended for use with stitched buffing wheels.


Black      Ideal for first stage polishing of copper, brass, steels and stainless steel. Recommended for use with sisal buffing wheels.


Green      For first stage polishing of all soft metals and final buffing of hard metals. Recommended for use with loose leaf and stitched buffing wheels.


Red     Produces a high quality finish on silver, gold and jewellery. Recommended for use with loose leaf and felt buffing wheels.


White      Final stage polishing compound for stainless steel and hard metals. Recommended for use with loose leaf and stitched buffing wheels.

and the all important link where I get mine  [url http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Endless-Green_Abrasives-Polishing_W0QQ_fsubZ376317011QQ_sidZ592463861QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322[/url]

[Tinnie]

Thanks the blade polishing tips.

How about tips on polishing the plastic scales of SAK?

I do this to all the scales I get from Neil

Mat has done it as well....works like wonders this method

http://edcforums.com/index.php?topic=27684.0

[BIG-TARGET]

I just simply clean with WD-40.  And keep the dings and scratches.  They add character/history to the knife

[Neil]

Thanks for the run down on the different polishes 

You say you use a dremel to do the polishing?  How do you keep the effect consistent?  As you may have gathered from that question, I've tried using a dremel but without a great deal of success on SAK blades.

I personally like a kind of halfway house when restoring old knives, I like them to look good but not lose all their signs of use.  So basically I don't use the coarser grits so that I still get a polished look but showing the pits and scratches.  I hope I explained that OK 

[John]

Thanks for the run down on the different polishes  

You say you use a dremel to do the polishing?  How do you keep the effect consistent?  As you may have gathered from that question, I've tried using a dremel but without a great deal of success on SAK blades.

I personally like a kind of halfway house when restoring old knives, I like them to look good but not lose all their signs of use.  So basically I don't use the coarser grits so that I still get a polished look but showing the pits and scratches.  I hope I explained that OK  

I use a cotton leaf buffer to apply not felt,Ideally the thickness I found should equal the width of the blade I do a run from tip to pivot/tang clean off with a soft cloth then repeat.

I agree with what you and others say in that you like the used look,polishing is not for everyone but! I like very shiny things,well not always! sometimes I can't be bothered  

[Neil]

Yep, I only bother for the rarities.  The whole process just takes way too long to make it worthwhile on the everyday SAKs.    I make an exception to that rule for old alox knives as they really do look nice brought to a shine

[John]

yep you got it for that special piece a few hours would be worth it,that said I'm working on my beat up Ti spork which could do with a lift 

[Craig]

Very interesting thread

Thanks for the advice